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To get a disruptive individual to fix his or her behavior, try discussing the issue with compassion, writes Allison Rimm. Inappropriate behavior is often the result of some type of personal suffering, so you should think about what could be causing the problem and try to help the person address the issue, Rimm writes. "When you approach others with genuine concern for their well-being, your standing in the organizational hierarchy is less of a barrier to a productive conversation," she writes.

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It can be difficult to get busy employees to focus on a challenging new problem, Allison Rimm writes. However, Rimm was able to do just that while leading strategic planning and IT at Massachusetts General Hospital when layoffs were looming. "Energize your exhausted employees by showing them how essential their work is to the organization's mission, giving them a structured opportunity to contribute, supporting their efforts to innovate, and committing to implementing their best ideas," Rimm writes.

The Dalai Lama says his successor might well be a woman because women tend to be more compassionate. This article notes that character traits typically associated with women -- compassion, sharing credit and asking for help -- are natural fits for the workplace.

Your chances of receiving a promotion are slim if nobody knows about all of the great work you've been doing, writes Allison Jones. For this reason, you should keep track of your accomplishments, highlight your successes when you meet with your boss and assist your colleagues when possible, she writes. "One of the best ways to establish your contribution as an employee is by helping your co-workers solve problems," she writes.

If your boss has confidence in your work, recognize the freedom he or she might be giving you to push the envelope and create opportunities that are meaningful to you. "[Y]ou probably have more latitude to define your work than you realize," writes Allison Rimm.